Idaho GMU 44
Strategic hunting data, boundary maps, and published IDFG season dates for Game Management Unit 44.
Unit 44 Overview
Idaho Game Management Unit 44 (GMU 44) is in the Smoky - Bennett Elk Zone. Season records in this guide list Black Bear, Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn Antelope, White-tailed Deer. This unit features high-elevation rugged terrain, requiring physical preparation and optics for cross-canyon spotting. About 50.7% of Unit 44 is mapped as public land. This is not parcel-level access authorization; verify boundaries, closures, and legal access before entering.
Landscape Analysis
Surface Management
Agency shares from IDFG Hunt Planner; this is not parcel-level access authorization.
Listed agency shares total 99.41%; 0.59% is not itemized in this breakdown.
2026 season dates, from Idaho Fish and Game
Pulled from the IDFG Hunt Planner API (2026). Idaho re-issues seasons each year and corrects its own systems between editions, so Idaho Fish and Game remains the sole authority for legal dates, tags and restrictions. Confirm before you hunt.
Check the IDFG Hunt PlannerPublished Season Schedule
The earliest opening in our Unit 44 records is Apr 15. Each species, tag, weapon, and hunt area has its own dates and restrictions below.
EElk Seasons
- ControlledArcheryControlled Hunt ArcheryAntlered · Hunt 2124 · 25 permitsSeason Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt AntleredAntlered · Hunt 2021 · 20 permitsSeason Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt Youth OnlyAntlerless · Hunt 2158 · 50 permitsSeason Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt Outfitter AllocatedAntlered · Hunt 2193 · 2 permitsSeason Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt AntleredAntlered · Hunt 2022 · 200 permitsSeason Dates
- GeneralAny WeaponGeneral B TagAntlerless · Area Units 44, 45 and 52Season Dates
BBlack Bear Seasons
- GeneralAny WeaponGeneral Any WeaponEither-sexSeason Dates
- GeneralDog TrainingGeneral Any WeaponEither-sexSeason Dates
MMule and White-tailed Deer Seasons
- ControlledArcheryControlled Hunt ArcheryAntlered · Hunt 1076 · 50 permitsSeason Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt AntleredAntlered · Hunt 1034 · 225 permitsSeason Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt Outfitter AllocatedAntlered · Hunt 1171 · 1 permitsSeason Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt AntlerlessAntlerless · Hunt 1061 · 125 permitsSeason Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt Youth OnlyAntlerless · Hunt 1103 · 75 permitsSeason Dates
PPronghorn Antelope Seasons
- ControlledArcheryControlled Hunt ArcheryAntlerless or Antlered · Hunt 4032 · 99999 permits · Area 44-3Season Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt Landowner Permission Required Extra Doe or FawnDoe or Fawn · Hunt 4601 · 25 permits · Area Portion of units 43, 44 and 45Season Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt Either SexAntlerless or Antlered · Hunt 4010 · 100 permits · Area 44-1Season Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt Doe or FawnDoe or Fawn · Hunt 4025 · 100 permits · Area 44-1Season Dates
- ControlledAny WeaponControlled Hunt Doe or FawnDoe or Fawn · Hunt 4026 · 100 permits · Area 44-2Season Dates
Harvest Trends & Success
Harvest statistics for Unit 44
Seven seasons of hunter counts, harvest totals and success rates, broken out by weapon — straight from Idaho Fish and Game.
Controlled Hunt Draw Odds
Draw odds for every hunt in this unit
Resident and nonresident draw odds, permits offered, and applicant counts for the 2026 Idaho controlled hunt drawings.
Unit 44 Boundary
Those portions of BLAINE, CAMAS, and ELMORE COUNTIES within the following boundary: beginning at the junction of U.S. 20 and Anderson Ranch Dam Road, then north on Anderson Ranch Dam Road to Anderson Ranch Dam, then up the South Fork of the Boise River (center of Anderson Ranch Reservoir) to Lime Creek, then upstream along Lime Creek to the Middle Fork of Lime Creek, then upstream along the Middle Fork Lime Creek to its intersection with Forest Service Trail 049, to and then northeast on Forest Service Trail 050, to the South Fork Boise River-Camas Creek watershed divide, then east along that divide to Couch Summit, then north on Five Points Creek Road (Forest Service Road 094), to Little Smoky Creek-Carrie Creek-Dollarhide Summit Road (Forest Service Road 227), then northeast on Little Smoky Creek-Carrie Creek-Dollarhide Summit Road to Dollarhide Summit, then southeast along the Little Smoky Creek-Big Wood River-Camas Creek watershed divide to Kelly Mountain, then south down Kelly Gulch Creek to, and then southwest on Croy Creek Road, to and then south on Camp Creek Road, to and then south on County Line Road to U.S. 20, then west on U.S. 20 to the point of beginning.
Smoky - Bennett Zone Context
South-Central Idaho — Smoky Mountains
The Smoky-Bennett zone groups Units 43, 44, 45, 48, and 52 in south-central Idaho. This is a separate elk zone from Sawtooth and Pioneer. Use the unit pages to check which boundaries and season records match a Fairfield-area or mountain-road plan.
Consider Fairfield when arranging supplies, according to your route. Check road length, current condition, and legal motorized use before relying on a mountain approach for a day hunt.
See all units in the Smoky - Bennett ZoneCommon Questions About Unit 44
Where is Idaho GMU 44?
Unit 44 sits in the Smoky - Bennett Elk Zone. The landscape is predominantly sage steppe/mountain, requiring appropriate gear and preparation.
What species can I hunt in Unit 44?
Unit 44 season records list Black Bear, Mule Deer, Elk. Confirm current dates and weapon legality with Idaho Fish and Game before applying or buying tags.
Are offline maps useful in GMU 44?
Plan for gaps in cell service. Roam Idaho's current web map requires a connection, so download an official offline map or carry a paper map before entering the field.
Is Unit 44 mostly public land?
Unit 44 is approximately 50.7% public (mixed public/private). Public-land share is not parcel-level access permission; verify ownership boundaries, legal routes, and closures before entering.
Other Units in the Smoky - Bennett Zone
Before hunting Unit 44
- Compare Idaho season and tag planning information against the specific hunt number and species you intend to pursue.
- Review public-land access and land-manager resources to check entry routes, road restrictions, and closures.
- Use the backcountry hunting preparation guide to plan navigation, weather protection, and the trip back out.
Terrain Breakdown
Included with Roam Pro — $3/month, 7-day free trial.
Land Access
Species associated with Unit 44. Open a guide for habitat, timing, and regulation context.
Field Reminder
Use this page and the connected map for planning, then carry an official offline map and confirm current seasons, closures, and access before heading out.